The Wesley Foundation is a place to call home while attending Michigan State University. Here you will find a community committed to finding new ways to discover the love of God in Jesus Christ in new and exciting ways.Read More About Us

Statement of Purpose

The Wesley Foundation at MSU connects young adults to God, a Christian community, and opportunities to serve. These connections occur as members deepen their understanding and commitment to expressing God-within-them through social action, supportive relationships, and worship.  

 Vision Statement for January 25, 2019

 
The Wesley Foundation (WF) is an organization that is active and visible at Michigan State University (MSU) and throughout the East Lansing community. With between seventy-five and one hundred active student members, it is not the largest student ministry within the MSU community, but is considered to be among, if not the most active in addressing identified social justice needs. The WF is led by two full time staff members (the Campus Minister and the Development Officer) and six to eight part-time Peer Ministers. The WF is funded through a variety of sources, including funds raised and grants received through the efforts of the Development Officer, donations from local businesses committed to supporting the WF’s social justice activities, an active Alumni Association, area United Methodist Churches, and the conferences and districts of the United Methodist Church in Michigan. More than most Wesley Foundations around the country, the Wesley Foundation at MSU is a student-led organization: students lead not only through the Peer Ministry structure, but also in worship, activity planning, and the development of personal/community growth opportunities. The Wesley Foundation is an organization that takes seriously its commitment to put into action the United Methodist theme of “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”.
 
Open Hearts: The Wesley Foundation is characterized by its commitment to involvement in social justice. Members are known for their “passion for service,” and the ministry is designed to encourage both personal and community growth. The WF’s open heart is also expressed in its encouragement of the members’ personal growth. The WF values students for who they are and who they are becoming and seeks ways to challenge members toward greater personal growth.
 
Open Minds: Among the primary functions of the Wesley Foundation is to support the students’ spiritual journeys. The WF provides students a safe haven where they can explore ideas/questions and discover their talents/gifts. Far from being threatened by differences among the diverse populations within the MSU community, the WF embraces diversity and emphasizes inclusion and understanding.
 
Open Doors: This portion of the theme expresses not only the Wesley Foundation’s attitude toward inclusion of all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or lifestyle choices, but also the ways the organization uses its facility. While the WF primarily serves MSU students, its spirit of inclusion includes ministry to all persons of college age, whether they are students at one of the other colleges/universities in the greater Lansing area or persons embarking on their careers directly out of high school.
 
The image of “open doors” also connotes the fact that the Wesley Foundation is not defined, nor confined, by its facility. An observer is just as likely to see WF members gathering at the MSU Student Union, a local restaurant, or addressing social justice issues anywhere in the greater Lansing area. More than a place to worship and do “church” related activities, the WF members “live” at the foundation building. It is not at all unusual for students to use the facility throughout the day to relax, study, eat, or do other daily activities routine in the course of a student’s life. 
 

 Corporate Values

 
We are a community of faith: the Wesley Foundation desires to respond to God’s transforming love, grace, and forgiveness that are freely given to all people.
 
We are a community of fellowship: the Wesley Foundation promotes a lifelong connectivity to God and one another through all stages of life.
 
We are a community of diversity: the Wesley Foundation endeavors to include all people and accept individuals for who they are.
 
We are a community of support: we seek to express God’s love through support of one another and those around us.
 
We are a seeking community: committed to encouraging each person’s distinctive search for growth and ways to express their knowledge of God.
 
We are a community of service: we work for a just society through our active support and participation in causes designed to make this a better world for all people.
 
 

 Strategic Plan 2009